Technical Trends
The following are technical trends that greatly interest me.
Virtual Reality
I, like many others, am incredibly excited about the possible applications of virtual reality technology. On a recent trip to New York City, I visited Samsung 837 , a cool space where Samsung allows people to try out their new technologies. By wearing a Samsung headset I was taken through a few different VR experiences that showcased the power of the technology. It is difficult to describe the experience in words, but I will say that it was incredibly immersive. In the future VR will no doubt be used to create more immersive video game and television experiences. I have also read of health insurance companies using VR technologies to create relaxing experiences that improve the mental health and well-being of employees and customers, which I think is an interesting application.
Digital Divide
A technology trend/topic that I am interested to follow in the coming years is the Digital Divide, which describes the inequality in access to information technologies. A certain number of people in the United States, and a large number of people in underdeveloped nations, have little to no access to information technologies. This putts them at a great economic disadvantage, since the global economy is now largely driven by technology. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the problem, it is likely that the divide will grow as time wears on. On the bright side, many philanthropic organizations exist that are striving to provide greater access to internet and information technologies for those who cannot afford it.